Houthis in Yemen Set Conditions for UN-Mediated Negotiations

The Houthi rebels have stated that a complete halt to the regional coalition's attacks led by Saudi Arabia is a condition for their participation in Yemen's peace talks. However, the Saudi ambassador in Washington has emphasized that Saudi attacks will continue until the Houthis cease their advances. French news agency AFP reported statements from Mohammed Abdelsalam, the Houthi spokesperson, on Wednesday, April 21, stating that the group's demand for resuming UN-supported political talks is 'a complete halt to the aggression against Yemen and the lifting of the blockade.' The regional coalition led by Saudi Arabia resumed airstrikes on Wednesday, just one day after announcing an end to air attacks on Yemen. In this new wave of attacks, the coalition's aircraft targeted Houthi positions in the cities of Taiz and Al-Hudaydah in central and southern Yemen, while Saudi Arabia had announced that developments in Yemen had entered a political phase. However, the Saudi ambassador in Washington insists that as long as the Houthis continue their advances, these attacks will also continue. Adel al-Jubeir stated to reporters, 'When the Houthis and their allies take aggressive actions, they will receive a response. The decision to calm the situation is entirely in their hands.' He ultimately warned that the Saudi army is prepared to stop the Houthis' advance toward the port city of Aden. Reports indicate that the Houthis captured a military base in Taiz on Wednesday, after which Saudi Arabia resumed its airstrikes. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the renewed outbreak of war in Yemen and called for its cessation. In this context, King Salman has ordered the participation of the Saudi National Guard in Yemen operations.